The director of design for the textiles department at Herman Miller, Inc., from 1952 to 1973, mid-century modern visionary Alexander Girard introduced bright, bouncy colors to upholstery and drapery fabrics, created jaunty graphics for marketing and advertising materials and devised motifs for everything from textiles to ceramics based on his true love: folk art from cultures around the globe.
The son of an American mother and an Italian father, Girard (known as Sandro to his friends) was born in New York City in 1907 but raised in Florence. He came from a creative family — his father was a master woodworker — and Girard began drawing and making his own playthings as a youngster. He had a fascination for nativity crèche tableaux, an enthusiasm that likely was the germ for his later interest in folk art. He went on to earn degrees in architecture at schools in both Rome and London before returning to New York in the 1930s and working in interior design.
By the 1940s, he and his wife, Susan, had moved to Detroit, where Girard was head of design for Detrola, a firm specializing in tabletop radios. The elegant bentwood housings that he developed for the devices won him acclaim, but, more importantly, at Detrola he met Charles Eames. The two became lifelong friends, and it was Eames who drew Girard toward Herman Miller, which had no dedicated textile department until Girard arrived, and most of its furniture was upholstered in mundane, “safe” hues. Girard changed all that, introducing fabrics in vivid shades of red, orange, yellow and blue. His early designs incorporated geometric motifs — stripes, circles, square, triangles and such. But toward the end of the 1950s he began to introduce folk art themes into his designs.
Girard did not collect important or expensive folk pieces. Rather he was drawn to simple objects such as handmade toys, figurines and models of animals, buildings and plants. The fabrics that emerged had whimsical, lighthearted motifs depicting, for example, angels, children, birds and flowers. Toward the end of his term with Herman Miller, in an effort to achieve what he termed “aesthetic functionalism,” Girard produced a group of what he called “Environmental Enrichment” pieces — silk-screened cotton panels emblazoned with various graphic designs, from bold geometric patterns to folk art themes. They were meant to divide spaces in offices or the home in lieu of walls while simultaneously functioning as art. Today, panels of vintage Girard upholstery textiles have become premium collectibles. The designer's furniture is less well known, primarily because most of it was created for private commissions.
Girard’s most lasting contribution may be his folk art collection. He and Susan had begun gathering pieces shortly after their marriage, in 1936. By the 1970s, they had amassed the world’s largest collection of cross-cultural folk art, composed of more than 100,000 pieces from around the world. The Girards donated their holdings to the Museum of International Folk Art, in Santa Fe (where they had moved in the ’60s), quintupling the institution’s collection, and a new wing — named for the Girards — had to be built to hold it.
Find a striking range of vintage Alexander Girard seating, tables, textiles and other furnishings on 1stDibs.
Alexander Girard for Herman Miller "Girard Group" Side Chair, 1967
By Herman Miller, Alexander Girard
Located in Coronado, CA
A rare "Girard Group" side chair #66306 produced by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller in 1967. The sculpted aluminum base is in excellent original condition with perfect patina, and...
Aluminum
A Vintage Alexander Girard Sun Screenprint On Canvas ca' 1970's
By Alexander Girard
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic and happy, Alexander Girard sceenprint on canvas panel ca' 1970's. Measures approx. 24"x24", mounted on stretcher.
Canvas
Charles Eames for Herman Miller Sofa Compact in Jacobs Coat fabric by Girard
By Charles Eames, Alexander Girard, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Charles Eames for Herman Miller Sofa Compact in Jacobs Coat fabric by Alexander Girard 1954 Sofa back folds over for easy transport. 35¼" High × 71½" Width × 29" Deep X 16" Seat ...
Metal, Steel
Rare Alexander Girard for Braniff Airlines Marble Side Table 1965
By Alexander Girard
Located in Seattle, WA
Alongside his contemporaries Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson, Alexander Girard was a prominent figure in postwar US design. In a departure from the rather austere Modernist a...
Soapstone, Aluminum
Alexander Girard Carolus Magnus Plates, The Miller House
By Georg Jensen, Alexander Girard
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Alexander Girard created these plates for the Miller House, one of the most iconic examples of Mid-Century designs. These are original with very little use and in amazing condition. ...
Ceramic
$5,547Sale Price|40% Off
Alexander Girard & George Nelson Inc. Wall Mounted Vanity, Model 1030
By Alexander Girard, George Nelson
Located in Seattle, WA
An unusual and rare wall mounted vanity from the 1964 Herman Miller accessory line to the CSS storage system. A collaborative design by Alexander Girard...
Aluminum
$7,920Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Alexander Girard Side Chair for Herman Miller
By Alexander Girard, Herman Miller
Located in Pasadena, TX
A vintage Alexander Girard armchair. The chair is upholstered in a olive color fabric. The classic color tone allow for the armchair to be a g...
Aluminum
Alexander Girard Wall Mirror for Textiles & Objects 1961
By Alexander Girard, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Alexander Girard Wall mirror for Textiles & Objects 1961 This is the "Mirror for Textiles & Objects" designed by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller in 1961. The mirror was created fo...
Brass
Herman Miller Chairs Alexander Girard Miller Stripe
By Herman Miller, Alexander Girard
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Post Modern Herman Miller Chairs with gorgeous Alexander Girard Miller Stripe fabric. Added bonus is that these can stack. Up to 3 available Arm H 25'' ask for custom shipping quote
Metal
Alexander Girard Lic. Iconic Sun Design Shoulder Satchel Bag and Laptop Holder
By Alexander Girard
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Alexander Girard, licensed, iconic, festive Sun Design Satchel with an adjustable shoulder strap. DISCONTINUED This stylish sling can be worn as a pop art satchel but also functions as a safe and secure bag for electronic devices Made from thick, waterproof, stain-resistant, Neoprene, the bag stretches perfectly fit 12-13" laptops, This protective sling, is ideal for many of your electronic devices, as it safely sheathes them, in a thick neoprene, spongy material that absorbs dings and drops. It has an hourglass design, adjustable shoulder strap for easy transport The exterior iconic sun patterned design is called “La Fonda” The design interior has an unique Alexander Girard black and white...
Composition
Alexander Girard Wall Mirror for Textiles & Objects 1961
By Herman Miller, Alexander Girard
Located in Chicago, IL
Alexander Girard Wall mirror for Textiles & Objects 1961 This is the "Mirror for Textiles & Objects" designed by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller in 1961. The mirror was created fo...
Brass
$15,196Sale Price|62% Off
Alexander Girard Prototype Cabinet for Herman Miller, 1965
By Alexander Girard
Located in Seattle, WA
From Wright Auction: The cabinet was a prototype model for The Girard Group created for the Herman Miller showroom; There were only two known to be ever made. The cast aluminum legs ...
Aluminum
Alexander Girard Coffee Table by Herman Miller
By Alexander Girard, Herman Miller
Located in Highland, IN
Alexander Girard's model #66350 coffee table was part of a suite of furniture originally designed for Braniff Airlines. Produced by Herman Miller for a single year in 1967, these rar...
Aluminum
$10,398Sale Price|60% Off
1965 Alexander Girard for Braniff Airlines & Herman Miller Marble Coffee Table
By Alexander Girard
Located in Seattle, WA
Alongside his contemporaries Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson, Alexander Girard was a prominent figure in postwar US design. In a departure from the rather austere Modernist a...
Aluminum
Alexander Girard Table for The Dragon Peak House
By Eero Saarinen, Alexander Girard, Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Rare collectors item designed by Alexander Girard. Dining table from Dragon Peak House. This table is one of four examples created for the Dragon Peak House. Features four folding ...
Steel
Marilyn Neuhart Alexander Girard Doll from Textiles & Objects
By Alexander Girard, Marilyn Neuhart
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Hand Made Doll, by Marilyn Neuhart for Textiles & Objects, which was a "pop up shop" conceived by Alexander Girard and sponsored by Herman Miller in May of 1961. See the last tw...
Wool, Linen, Silk
Marilyn Neuhart Alexander Girard Doll from Textiles and Objects
By Marilyn Neuhart, Alexander Girard
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Hand Made Doll, by Marilyn Neuhart for Textiles & Objects, which was a "pop up shop" conceived by Alexander Girard and sponsored by Herman Miller in May of 1961. See the last tw...
Wool, Linen, Silk
Marilyn Neuhart Alexander Girard Doll Textiles & Objects
By Alexander Girard, Marilyn Neuhart
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Hand Made Doll, by Marilyn Neuhart for Textiles & Objects, which was a "pop up shop" conceived by Alexander Girard and sponsored by Herman Miller in May of 1961. See the last tw...
Wool, Linen, Silk
C.1972 Original Alexander Girard Fabric Geometric Environmental Enrichment Panel
By Alexander Girard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are original Screen-Printed Fabric Panels, designed by Alexander Girard in ca. 1972. We have 22 panels available, and the listed price is for each individual piece. These are t...
Fabric
Eames and Alexander Girard for Herman Miller La Fonda Fiberglass Armchair, 1960s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard, Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Original La Fonda fiberglass armchair designed by Charles Eames and Ray Eames and manufactured by Herman Miller, circa 1960s. The sculptural fiberglass shell features integrated arms...
Aluminum
Alexander Girard for Herman Miller Neck Ties. NOS. Silk. Vintage 1960s, Signed
By Herman Miller, Alexander Girard
Located in Kansas City, MO
Super rare neckties designed by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller, 1960s. We don't think these were ever in mass production. All th...
Silk
$6,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
1965 Alexander Girard Side Table by Herman Miller for Braniff Airlines
By Herman Miller, Alexander Girard
Located in Pasadena, TX
1965 Alexander Girard for Braniff airlines granite side table Alexander Girard was a prominent figure in postwar US design. In a departure from the rather austere Modernist aesth...
Granite, Aluminum
Custom George Nelson / Girard "pin-wheel" marble top coffee / cocktail table
By George Nelson, Alexander Girard, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Custom George Nelson / Girard "pin-wheel" marble top coffee / cocktail table... Table is comprised of swiveling base model 5452 and a marble top believe to have been designed by Alex...
Marble, Aluminum
$10,527Sale Price|40% Off
1965 Alexander Girard for Braniff Airlines & Herman Miller Glass Coffee Table
By Alexander Girard
Located in Seattle, WA
Alongside his contemporaries Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson, Alexander Girard was a prominent figure in postwar US design. In a departure from the rather austere Modernist a...
Aluminum
One of a Kind Midcentury Side Table Designed by Alexander Girard
By Alexander Girard
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
One of a kind Midcentury side table designed by Alexander Girard. handmade terrazzo table with inlay on steel frame legs. Features Girards early signature ( triangle, square, circle)...
Steel
Original 430 Chair by Verner Panton for Thonet, 1960s
By Thonet, Alexander Girard
Located in Dronten, NL
An exceptional and rare original 430 Chair designed by Verner Panton for Thonet, produced for only a very short period in the 1960s. This piece represents a unique collaboration betw...
Steel, Chrome
1967 Rare Alexander Girard/Ray Eames/Charles Eames Coffee Table w/ Gold Laminate
By Herman Miller, Alexander Girard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an exceptionally rare coffee table designed by renowned designers Alexander Girard, Ray Eames, and Charles Eames. This design was part of a table collection, which...
Aluminum
Marilyn Neuhart Alexander Girard Doll Textiles and Objects
By Alexander Girard, Marilyn Neuhart
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Hand Made Doll, by Marilyn Neuhart for Textiles & Objects, which was a "pop up shop" conceived by Alexander Girard and sponsored by Herman Miller in May of 1961. See the last tw...
Wool, Linen, Silk
Alexander Girard Ashtray/ Match Holder from La Fonda Del Sol
By Alexander Girard
Located in Highland, IN
This sweet, sculptural piece designed by Alexander Girard and made by Mayer China Minners & Co for the NY restautant La Fonda del Sol. The glazed porc...
Porcelain
Rare Alexander Girard Fabric Herman Miller Eames Black Fiberglass Arm Shell
By Alexander Girard, Charles Eames
Located in Buffalo, NY
Extremely rare Alexander Girard Jacobs Coat Eames fiberglass arm shell chair by Herman Miller. There are 6 available,, ***PRICE PER CHAIR , Good original condition,, fabric no longe...
Metal
1960s Alexander Girard Ashtray La Fonda Del Sol Restaurant NYC New York City MCM
By Alexander Girard
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A very rare and vintage New York City relic. No chips, No handling damage. However this example does have some manufacturing defects that are all Photo'd.
Porcelain
$796Sale Price / set|20% Off
1960s La Fonda Del Sol Restaurant Salt Shakers Girard Midcentury
By Alexander Girard
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Alexander Girard for Mayer China / Minners. Made in the 1960s. Bollard-form salt shakers. Identical each with single hole. No chips, no cracks. Some crazing to the white bands around...
Porcelain
Marilyn Neuhart Alexander Girard Doll Textiles & Objects
By Marilyn Neuhart, Alexander Girard
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Hand Made Doll, by Marilyn Neuhart for Textiles & Objects, which was a "pop up shop" conceived by Alexander Girard and sponsored by Herman Miller in May of 1961. See the last tw...
Wool, Linen, Silk
1967 Rare Alexander Girard & Charles Eames Coffee Table with Black Laminate Top
By Herman Miller, Alexander Girard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an exceptionally rare coffee table designed by renowned designers Alexander Girard and Charles Eames. This design was part of a table collection, which was worked ...
Aluminum
Rare Alexander Girard Detrola Radio, circa 1946, Modernist
By Alexander Girard
Located in Buffalo, NY
Nice original working condition,, replaced back.. Signed with stamped manufacturer’s mark to underside: [12132]. USA Medium Design/Decorative Art Manufacturer Detrola Radio...
Brass
Eames LKH-2 Lounge with Girard Upholstery by Herman Miller
By Alexander Girard, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Highland, IN
This terrific example of the Eames LKH-2 easy chair has a black wire seat, a bikini pad in magenta naugahyde designed by Alexander Girard and a zinc lounge ...
Steel
Charles Eames Alexander Girard Herman Miller Shell Chairs in Checkerboard
By Charles Eames, Alexander Girard
Located in Chicago, IL
A good pair of orange and yellow Charles Eames and Alexander Girard chairs for Herman Miller. Custom order label on underside. Dated May 6, 1974. More pics to come. Upholstery is in...
Fiberglass
1967 Prototype Alexander Girard/Ray Eames/Charles Eames Coffee Table
By Herman Miller, Alexander Girard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an exceptionally rare coffee table designed by renowned designers Alexander Girard, Ray Eames, and Charles Eames. It appears that this was a collaborative work with a top material pattern designed by Ray Eames and Alexander Girard. The base was then designed by Ray and Charles Eames (and the Eames office) and matches other La Fonda table...
Aluminum